Robert John Erbacherfeb. 22, 1942 To Oct. 27, 2017

Heaven has received a Super Fan. Whether it was football, basketball, baseball, lacrosse or laying tile, if his children or grandchildren were participating, Bob was there to cheer, encourage or coach them on. He also loved telling jokes, stories, and had an incredible sense of humor.

Bob was born in Havre to Jerome and Ethel on Feb. 22, 1942. He graduated from Havre Central High School in 1960, where he excelled in basketball. He moved to Billings in 1968.

Bob loved nothing more than spending time with his family: his wife Carol, of 52 years; his children, Robin (Bob) Fedje, John (Kim) Erbacher and Bobbie (Joe) Kane; and his grandchildren, Sam and Molly Fedje, Emily, Josh, Zach and Ben Erbacher, and Simon and Wylie Kane. Bob is also survived by his siblings, Dee (Don) Morris and Doug Erbacher, along with many nieces and nephews. Over the years, Bob provided countless cherished memories during hours spent in the kitchen, planting flowers and vegetables, rooting from the sidelines and simply "hanging out," watching any and every sport televised.

The ultimate hosts, Bob and Carol loved entertaining, creating elaborate BBQs for family and friends at both their home in Billings and winter home in Goodyear, Arizona, specifically designing their homes for just this purpose.

Definitely a people person, Bob could converse with anyone which, no doubt, contributed greatly to his successful business career. Bob started his career in the flooring business in the early 1970s and, in 1982, along with his partners Duey and Nancy Gilliland, opened their first store, the Carpet and Appliance Connection. In 1989, they joined Carpet One and, in 1995, they opened their second business, Stone Mountain Carpet Outlet. Bob loved making a deal. Whether it was buying product or selling it, Bob loved the challenge of negotiation and creating a win-win for everyone.

Bob retired from Carpet One in 2002 when he and Carol became "snowbirds," joining Bob's sister and brother-in-law Dee and Don Morris in Arizona, where Bob could golf, socialize and entertain to his heart's content.

No one is ever prepared to say goodbye and there is never a perfect scenario for losing a loved one, but for Bob and his family, this was as close to good as it could be. He was at peace with his death because he knew the Lord. Bob spent his final weeks trying to recover from numerous surgeries. He was surrounded with love by his family and numerous friends. Bob, we love you and will forever miss you, but thank our God for your life and the love we all shared.

A service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at Faith Chapel, 517 Shiloh Road. Please join us in celebrating Bob's love for sports by wearing your favorite team's apparel.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to his favorite charity, United LUV Project, 3245 Alpine Drive, Billings, MT 59102, a non-profit that donates iPads to cancer patients.